DECKING
TWO SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
FOR WATERPROOFING GARDEN DECKING PROJECTS
The last two years have had a huge impact on how homeowners relate to , interact with , and utilise every space of their homes – including their gardens . As consumers everywhere continue to re-evaluate where and how they spend their time , outdoor living has never had a brighter moment in the spotlight .
Creating gardens that are an extension of the home , multifunctional and easy to maintain is one of the best investments you can make in a property . This is where having a great deck comes in .
Whether you build with timber or with one of today ’ s highperformance composite deck boards , such as Trex ®, it ’ s important to properly protect the decking substructure to ensure it stays structurally sound . In most cases , foundational posts and bearers are made of timber and , therefore , highly susceptible to moisture penetration and deterioration over time . In fact , research has shown that timber can show signs of splitting , rotting or decay in as little as eight years .*
Fortunately , there is a simple and affordable solution for protecting your work and your clients ’ garden investments . Using a good deck flashing tape is an easy and costeffective way to build a quality deck that is guaranteed to last for decades .
There are two primary options for protective flashing tapes – asphaltbased and butyl tapes . Although asphalt-based tape is generally less expensive , it tends to dry out more quickly and can curl up and hold water . It can also take up to 72 hours to fully bond . Since acrylic tapes don ’ t withstand water as well , they typically come with short-term warranties or no warranty at all . Acrylic tape can also be slippery , whereas butyl tape , such as Trex ® Protect™ Joist , Bearer & Rim Tape , is skid-proof and offers better protection from slips and falls during installation . Butyl tape also applies faster because its sealant secures immediately .
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